The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (4-12, 0-3 CUSA) welcome the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (9-6, 2-1 CUSA) to Murphy Athletic Center. The Blue Raiders will attempt to snap their seven-game losing streak. Action gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 11, 2020, and can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders ATS Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last contest. The Blue Raiders fell to the Marshall Thundering Herd, 79-75, while the Hilltoppers were defeated by the UAB Blazers, 72-62.
Western Kentucky had a turnover percentage of 10.7 (better than their season average of 17.0) while Middle Tennessee had a better turnover percentage (13.3 vs. 16.4). Donovan Sims played well for Middle Tennessee, contributing 18 points and seven rebounds. Western Kentucky, meanwhile, rallied around Taveion Hollingsworth, who had 19 points and five rebounds.
The Hilltoppers won the lone contest between these two teams last year, 71-63. Western Kentucky had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.561 vs. 0.406). Middle Tennessee, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (42.9 vs. 17.6). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Points at the line could be rare for Middle Tennessee in this contest. The Blue Raiders rank 264th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.193, while Western Kentucky ranks 25th in FTA rate allowed (0.156). Furthermore, the elite offense of the Hilltoppers ranks 58th in effective field goal percentage (0.535), while the Blue Raiders are 42nd-worst in the NCAA at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.528).
Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee ATS Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Middle Tennessee averages 24.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 69th in the nation. Western Kentucky ranks 209th in three pointers allowed per game (24.3).
- The Blue Raiders average 14.4 assists per game, which ranks 80th in the country. The Hilltoppers rank 121st in assists allowed per game (12.5).
- Western Kentucky averages 35.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 169th in the country. Middle Tennessee ranks 191st in rebounds allowed per game (37.2).
- The Hilltoppers rank 34th in steals allowed per game (5.4) while the Blue Raiders rank 129th (6.9).
- Western Kentucky ranks 37th in blocks per game (4.5) while Middle Tennessee ranks 82nd (3.7).
Bettings Trends:
- The Blue Raiders’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 9.6, up from 3.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Hilltoppers have scored an average of 73.4 points per game (4.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.4 points per game (3.5 above their season average).
